Seniority and preferential scheduling

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When I interviewed for my job, I was told that it was mandatory to work rotating shifts (either 7a-7:30p or 7p-7:30a), with a certain number of weekend shifts required per schedule period. The requirement being two weeks of nights and four weeks of days per six-week schedule period. I recently found out that certain nurses do not have to fulfill the night shift requirement, because they have seniority. Our unit director and clinicians work no nights or weekends. Those with seniority also get preference when it comes to vacation schedules and holidays off.

Is this a common arrangement? Is this fair? I am new to nursing, so I do not have experience with the concept of seniority. It should be noted that no matter how many years of seniority you have in my hospital, if you transfer to another unit, you will move to the bottom of the pile. Is it fair then? I personally don't mind fulfilling the requirements but knowing that other people don't have to doesn't sit well with me. I feel that this policy should have been explained in the interview, at a minimum.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
2 minutes ago, 1MoreCoffee said:

I never said that those who did not go the extra mile had no value. You are a liar.

Several of us seem to be confused by your posts/backtracking, so perhaps realize that you haven't done a good job of explaining things rather than just jumping to calling someone a liar.

I would also like to know what you mean by "just showing up" because a nurse who shows up and properly takes care of their patients, even if they don't do anything "extra" with committees and what not, are still definitely more valuable than a new hire.

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Specializes in Hematology Oncology.
1 minute ago, JadedCPN said:

Several of us seem to be confused by your posts/backtracking, so perhaps realize that you haven't done a good job of explaining things rather than just jumping to calling someone a liar.

I would also like to know what you mean by "just showing up" because a nurse who shows up and properly takes care of their patients, even if they don't do anything "extra" with committees and what not, are still definitely more valuable than a new hire.

I have not backtracked on anything. I just clearly outlined everything. And the fact that you don't understand it is not my problem.

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9 minutes ago, 1MoreCoffee said:

I never said that those who did not go the extra mile had no value. You are a liar.

3 hours ago, 1MoreCoffee said:

Rewarding years of service over performance serves as a disincentive to be productive. If someone works for me for 10, 20, 30 years and doesn't do anything more than show up, I don't want them on my team. What good is their experience if they don't teach others, if they don't serve in a leadership capacity, or if they don't contribute to quality improvement? They are no more valuable than a new hire. I want them to leave.

It's right there IN YOUR OWN WORDS!!

Also, name-calling? Really? From an adult?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Pediatric Float, PICU, NICU.
4 minutes ago, 1MoreCoffee said:

I have not backtracked on anything. I just clearly outlined everything. And the fact that you don't understand it is not my problem.

You made a statement without explaining the statement. It’s not about being “your problem” or not. I’m simply asking, to continue the conversation, for you to clarify what you mean by nurses who “just show up?”

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4 minutes ago, 1MoreCoffee said:

And the fact that you don't understand it is not my problem.

Nobody is clear on what you mean. I think it IS your problem.

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Specializes in Oncology, OCN.

I’ve only been working as a nurse for 9 months myself and find the OP’s opinions very disrespectful of the experienced nurses. It may not have been your intention based on your backtracking statements but how your posts read is very devaluing to experienced nurses who “just show up.” Personally I find value in those who consistently show up and do their job even if they aren’t “doing extra.” Even if they aren’t officially precpeting or mentoring odds are very high they are still a great resource to the newer nurses on the unit who seek their advice.

My unit has dedicated day shift and night shift people with a decent split of new and experienced nurses on both shifts. No one is forced to work days or nights, they were hired for one or the other, a few people have chosen to switch from days to nights. We do have a large batch (8) of new grads going through orientation right now and did split them between night and day shifts, not sure how who works what was determined to be honest.

Our major winter holidays are assigned by management and work on a rotation. I work New Year’s Day this year so next year I’ll work Thanksgiving, Christmas the following year. The minor holidays they made a sign up sheet online, made an announcement about when it’d be opened, and everyone signed up for either New Year’s Eve, Christmas Eve, or Black Friday. As long as the balance of experienced to new grad and enough chemo certified nurses were on each day people got what they signed up for. I’ve yet to hear any rules about signing up for vacation on my unit related to seniority. For summer holidays they just posted a paper sign up sheet and everyone had to sign up for one: Labor Day, Memorial Day, 4th July. Same basic rules or distributing experienced nurses and chemo nurses but pretty much everyone worked what they signed up for. No one works fewer holidays or weekend because of seniority though. As we become fully staffed we should all be able to go back to four weekend shifts vs. five shifts next schedule period which will be nice.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Closing for staff review

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